Collapse and expansion structure of storage box

ABSTRACT

A collapse and expansion structure of storage box includes a rectangular box body, multiple support boards, and a bottom board. The rectangular box body has two opposite first side walls and two opposite second side walls. The first and second side walls have lower ends connected to a flexible bottom surface and upper ends delimiting an opening. The first side walls are flexible and the second side walls are rigid. Each support board has an edge connected to an upper edge of the respective first side wall to make the support board rotatable with respect to the first side wall. The support boards have a length substantially equal to height of the first side walls. When positioned against the flexible first side walls, the support boards expand and support the box body. When rotated to a horizontal condition, the support boards allows of collapse of the box body.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to a collapse and expansion structure of storage box that is easy to operate and use.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

Due to the need for reduction of size in order to facilitate storage, various foldable storage boxes or containers are currently available. For example, some designs use flexible fabric materials to make a rectangular box. An upper horizontal bar is arranged along each of four top edges of the rectangular box. A lower horizontal bar is arranged along each of two opposite bottom edges of the rectangular box. Further, each of four vertical edges of the box is provided with a vertical bar. A predetermined spacing distance is formed between adjacent ends of the upper horizontal bars, between adjacent ends of the lower horizontal bars, and between ends of the vertical bars and upper and lower horizontal bars. Each vertical wall surface of the box forms diagonally crossing folding lines. With such a structure, the flexible box is supported by those vertical bars, upper horizontal bars, and lower horizontal bars to form a storage box for receiving and storing articles therein, and can be twisted and folded to form a flat configuration.

In some improved storage boxes, a lid is provided on the top of the box body of the storage box. A vertical support bar is set in each corner of the box body so that the support bars respectively support four corners of the lid.

However, the conventional storage boxes are composed of numerous parts and are thus complicated in structure, making it hard to operate, parts being easily lost, and manufacturing cost being high.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The primary objective of the present invention is to provide a collapse and expansion structure of storage box that is made up of fewer parts, has a simpler structure, and is easier to operate, whereby such a design makes the manufacturing cost reduced and alleviates the problem of parts of storage box being easily lost.

A feature of the present invention is that a box body of the storage box is made of a flexible fabric material. Some side walls of the box body are combined with rigid boards to show proper rigidity. The other side walls remain flexible. Support boards that are of proper rigidity are respectively connected to upper edges of the flexible side walls to allow the support boards to be respectively rotatable with respect to the side walls. When turned into the box body and positioned against the flexible side walls, the support boards expand and support the box body. When being rotated to a substantially horizontal condition, the support boards no longer hold the side walls and the flexible side walls are collapsible to reduce the overall size of the box body for easy storage.

Another feature of the present invention is that an individual bottom board is provided for being selectively positioned on a bottom surface of the box body. When the bottom board is put into the box body and positioned on the bottom surface, edges of the bottom board respectively engage and hold the vertical surfaces of the side walls at the lower edges thereof to thereby stabilize the expanded box body. When the bottom board is removed out of the box body, the box body is collapsible. The present invention also features a bottom board connected to an edge of one of the support boards so that the bottom board is rotatable with the support boards to a horizontal condition for collapsing the box body, or the support boards and the bottom board are rotatable into the box body to support the flexible side walls and the bottom surface of the box body to thereby expand and erect the box body

A technical solution according to the present invention comprises a rectangular box body, a plurality of support boards, and a bottom board. The rectangular box body comprises a pair of first side walls that are respectively set on two opposite sides and a pair of second side walls respectively located on the other two opposite sides. The two first side walls and the two second side walls have lower ends connected to a flexible bottom surface. The two first side walls are flexible. The two second side walls are rigid. The first side walls and the second side walls are foldable at the connection therebetween. Each of the support boards has an edge that is connected to an upper edge of each of the first side walls to make the support board rotatable with respect to the first side wall. The support boards have a length that is substantially equal to height of the first side walls. When turned into the box body and positioned against the first side walls, the support boards erect and support the first side walls. The bottom board is positioned on the bottom surface of the rectangular box body to engage and hold the vertical surfaces of the support boards and the second side walls at the lower edges thereof. The present invention sets the support boards in an erected condition to support the respective side walls and sets the bottom boards on the bottom surface of the box body, so as to expand, erect and support the box body. When the bottom board is removed out of the box body and the support boards are rotated to a substantially horizontal condition, the box body is allowed to collapse to a flat condition.

According to the present invention, an edge of the bottom board is connected to an edge of one of the support boards that is opposite to the edge connected to the box body, whereby the bottom board is rotatable with the support boards to get into the box body or to move to a substantially horizontal condition for collapsing the box body.

According to the present invention, the bottom board that is provided for being arranged inside the box body is an individual board that is separate from the box body.

Another technical solution of the present invention comprises a box body, a plurality of support boards, and a bottom board. The box body has four flexible side walls. The four side walls have lower ends that are connected to a flexible bottom surface. The side walls are foldable at the connections therebetween. The four side walls have upper ends delimiting an opening. Each of the support boards has an e an edge connected to an upper edge of each of the side walls of the box body to make the support board rotatable with respect to the side wall. The support boards have a length hat is substantially equal to height of the side walls, whereby the support boards, when turned into and respectively positioned against the side walls, erect and support the flexible side walls. The bottom board is positionable on the bottom surface of the rectangular box to have edges of the bottom board engaging and holding the support boards.

According to the present invention, a rigid top lid is selectively provided for being connected an upper edge of one of the side walls, whereby the top lid may selectively cover the opening of the box body.

The overall structure of the present invention is much simpler than the structure of the conventional foldable storage box, has a lower manufacturing cost, is easy to use, has an improved structural strength, and thus shows novelty and improvement over the conventional devices.

The foregoing objectives and summary provide only a brief introduction to the present invention. To fully appreciate these and other objects of the present invention as well as the invention itself, all of which will become apparent to those skilled in the art, the following detailed description of the invention and the claims should be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Throughout the specification and drawings identical reference numerals refer to identical or similar parts.

Many other advantages and features of the present invention will become manifest to those versed in the art upon making reference to the detailed description and the accompanying sheets of drawings in which a preferred structural embodiment incorporating the principles of the present invention is shown by way of illustrative example.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a storage box according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating the storage box of the first embodiment in such a condition that support boards are turned into a box body, but a bottom board is not put in the box body.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating the storage box according to the first embodiment of the present invention in such a condition that the support boards are turned into the box body to support first side walls and the bottom board is put into the box body and positioned on a bottom surface.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating the storage box according to the first embodiment of the present invention in such a condition that before the box body is collapsed, the support boards are first turned to a position to be substantially parallel to an opening.

FIGS. 5A-5D are schematic views illustrating collapse operation of the storage box according to the first embodiment of the present invention, in which the bottom board is connected at an edge thereof to one of the support boards.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating the storage box according to the first embodiment of the present invention is laid on one side thereof as a step of collapsing the box body.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating a further step of collapsing the storage box according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating the storage box according to the first embodiment of the present invention folded in a flat condition.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a storage box according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating the storage box of the second embodiment in such a condition that support boards are turned into a box body, but a bottom board is not put in the box body.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view illustrating the storage box according to the second embodiment of the present invention in such a condition that the support boards are turned into the box body.

FIGS. 12 and 13 are perspective views illustrating the storage box according to the second embodiment of the present invention in such a condition that the support boards are turned into the box body to support the side walls and the bottom board is put into the box body and positioned on the bottom surface.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view illustrating the storage box according to the second embodiment of the present invention in such a condition that before the box body is collapsed, the support boards are first turned to a position to be substantially parallel to an opening.

FIGS. 15-17 are perspective views illustrating a collapse operation of the storage box according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The following descriptions are exemplary embodiments only, and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability or configuration of the invention in any way. Rather, the following description provides a convenient illustration for implementing exemplary embodiments of the invention. Various changes to the described embodiments may be made in the function and arrangement of the elements described without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

FIGS. 1-8 show drawings associated with a first embodiment according to the present invention. FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate that a storage box according to the present invention comprises a box body 1, a plurality of support boards 2, and a bottom board 3. The box body 1 of the first embodiment is a cube having a pair of first side walls 11 that are respectively set on two opposite sides and a pair of second side walls 12 respectively located on the other two opposite sides. The two first side walls 11 and the two second side walls 12 have lower ends connected to a flexible bottom surface 13. The two first side walls 11 and the two second side walls 12 have upper ends delimiting an opening. The two first side walls 11 are flexible, while the two second side walls 12 are rigid. The first side walls 11 and the second side walls 12 can be connected to each other by means of for example sewing to be foldable with respect to each other. Preferably, the first side walls 11, the second side walls 12, and the bottom surface 13 are all made of a flexible fabric material, but the second side walls 12 each enclose a board of proper rigidity therein to make the second side wall 12 in a condition of being un-foldable. The support boards 2 are of proper rigidity. Each of the support boards 2 has an edge that is connected, through sewing, to an upper edge of one of the flexible first side walls 11 to make the support board 2 rotatable with respect to the first side wall 11. The support boards 2 have a length that is substantially equal to height of the first side walls 11, whereby the support boards 2, when rotated into the box body 1 to position against the first side walls 11, erect and support the flexible first side walls 11. The bottom board 3 has a surface area that is substantially equal to a surface area of the bottom surface 13 of the box body 1, whereby when the bottom board 3 is positioned on the bottom surface 13 of the box body 1, edges of the bottom board 3 are set against and hold the vertical surfaces of the support boards 2 and the second side walls 12 at the lower edges thereof.

According to the present invention, to expand the storage box, as shown in FIG. 2, each of the support boards 2 is rotated into the box body 1 to position against the respective one of the first side walls 11, whereby the lower edges of the support boards 2 hold the bottom surface 13. Then, the bottom board 3 is set into the box body 1 to be positioned on the bottom surface 13, whereby the edges of the bottom board 3 engage and hold the vertical surfaces of the support boards 2 and the second side walls 12 at the lower edges thereof (as shown in FIG. 3) to thereby expand and hold the box body 1 in position. To collapse the box body 1, as shown in FIG. 4, the bottom board 3 is removed out of the box body, and each of the support boards 2 is rotated to the opening of the box body to show a substantially horizontal condition. The box body 1 is then laid on one side, and as sequentially shown in FIG. 6-8, the flexible first side walls 11 are folded with the second side walls 12 respectively set on upper and lower sides to thereby collapse the box body 1 in a flat condition.

Further, FIGS. 5A-5D are schematic side elevational views illustrating the collapse of a modification of the storage box according to the first embodiment of the present invention wherein the bottom board 3 has an edge connected to one of the support boards 2. The edge of the bottom board 3 is connected to the one of the support boards 2 by means of for example sewing. By positioning the support boards 2 respectively against the first side walls 11 and properly turning and positioning the bottom board 3 on the bottom surface 13, the support boards 2 erect and support the flexible first side walls 11, while the edges of the bottom board 3 hold the vertical surfaces of the support boards 2 and the second side walls 12 at the lower edges thereof (see FIG. 5A). To collapse the box body 1, the bottom board 3 and the support boards 2 are turned (as shown in FIG. 5B) to move the support boards 2 and the bottom board 3 to the opening of the box body to show a substantially horizontal condition (as shown in FIGS. 5C and 5D). Afterwards, the box body can be folded to a flat condition as shown in FIGS. 6-8 to facilitate storage.

FIGS. 9-17 shows drawings associated with a second embodiment according to the present invention. FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate that a storage box according to the second embodiment of the present invention comprises a box body 1, a plurality of support boards 2, and a bottom board 3. The box body 1 of the second embodiment is a rectangular parallelepiped having four flexible side walls 11A. The side walls 11A have lower ends connected to a flexible bottom surface 13. The side walls 11A have upper ends delimiting an opening. The side walls 11A can be connected to each other by means of for example sewing to be foldable with respect to each other. The support boards 2 are of proper rigidity. Each of the support boards 2 has an edge that is connected, through sewing, to an upper edge of one of the flexible side walls 11A to make the support board 2 rotatable with respect to the side wall 11A. The support boards 2 have a length that is substantially equal to height of the side walls 11A, whereby the support boards 2, when rotated into the box body 1 to position against the side walls 11A, erect and support the flexible side walls 11A. The bottom board 3 has a surface area that is substantially equal to a surface area of the bottom surface 13 of the box body 1, whereby when the bottom board 3 is positioned on the bottom surface 13 of the box body 1, edges of the bottom board 3 are set against and hold the vertical surfaces of the support boards 2 at the lower edges thereof.

To expand the storage box according to the second embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, each of the support boards 2 is rotated into the box body 1 to position against the respective one of the side walls 11A, whereby the lower edges of the support boards 2 hold the bottom surface 13. Then, the bottom board 3 is set into the box body 1 to be positioned on the bottom surface 13, whereby the edges of the bottom board 3 engage and hold the vertical surfaces of the support boards 2 at the lower edges thereof (as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13) to thereby expand and hold the box body 1 in position. To collapse the box body 1, as shown in FIG. 14, the bottom board 3 is removed out of the box body, and each of the support boards 2 is rotated to the opening of the box body to show a substantially horizontal condition. The box body 1 is then laid on one side, and as sequentially shown in FIG. 15-17, two of the side walls 11A are respectively set on upper and lower sides while the other two side walls are folded to be sandwiched therebetween, thereby collapsing the box body 1 in a flat condition.

Further, for the storage box according to the second embodiment shown in FIG. 9, a rigid top lid 14 may be provided and connected to an upper edge of one of the side walls 11A of the box body 1. The top lid 14 has an inside surface to which a first fastener element 141 is mounted. The box body 1 has an outside surface to which a second fastener element 142 that is mateable and connectable to the first fastener element 141 is mounted. When the box body 1 is expanded and erected, the top lid 14 is set to cover the upper opening of the box body 1 and the first fastener element 141 and the second fastener element 142 are set in engagement with each other to secure the lid. The first fastener element 141 and the second fastener element 142 can be respectively a hook member and a loop member of a hook-and-loop fastener or alternately, they are respectively male buckling member and female buckling member.

It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together may also find a useful application in other types of methods differing from the type described above.

While certain novel features of this invention have been shown and described and are pointed out in the annexed claim, it is not intended to be limited to the details above, since it will be understood that various omissions, modifications, substitutions and changes in the forms and details of the device illustrated and in its operation can be made by those skilled in the art without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention. 

1. A collapse and expansion structure of storage box, comprising a rectangular box body, a plurality of support boards, and a bottom board, wherein the rectangular box body comprising a pair of first side walls that are respectively set on two opposite sides and a pair of second side walls respectively located on the other two opposite sides, the two first side walls and the two second side walls having lower ends connected to a flexible bottom surface, the two first side walls and the two second side walls having upper ends delimiting an opening, the two first side walls being flexible, the two second side walls being rigid, each of the support boards having an edge that is connected to an upper edge of each of the flexible first side walls to make the support board rotatable with respect to the first side wall, the support boards having a length that is substantially equal to height of the first side walls, whereby the support boards, when positioned against the flexible first side walls, expand and support the box body and the support boards, when being rotated to a horizontal condition, allows of collapse of the box body.
 2. The collapse and expansion structure of storage box according to claim 1, wherein the bottom board has an edge that is connected to an edge of one of the support boards that is opposite to the edge connected to the box body.
 3. The collapse and expansion structure of storage box according to claim 1, wherein the box body comprises four flexible side walls, the four side walls having lower edges that are connected to a flexible bottom surface, each of the support boards having an edge connected to an upper edge of each of the side walls of the box body to make the support board rotatable with respect to the side wall, the support boards having a length hat is substantially equal to height of the side walls, whereby the support boards, when respectively positioned against the side walls, erect and support the flexible side walls and the support boards, when being rotated to a horizontal condition, allowed of collapse of the box body into a flat condition. 